Welcome to Industrial Britain (c.1750–c.1900)!
Welcome to one of the most exciting parts of your History course! In this section, we are looking at how Britain transformed from a quiet, rural country into a "workshop of the world." Because everything changed so fast—where people lived, how they worked, and what they believed—the way people committed crimes and how the government punished them had to change too.
Don't worry if this seems like a lot of information at first. We’ve broken it down into four simple "bite-sized" chunks. By the end of these notes, you’ll understand why the police were invented and why prisons replaced the gallows.
1. The Big Picture: Enlightenment, Cities, and Politics
To understand crime, we first have to understand how society was changing. There were three "Big Drivers" of change in this period:
- Urbanisation: This is just a fancy word for the growth of cities. People moved from small villages to big cities like London, Manchester, and Birmingham to work in factories. Imagine moving from a school with 20 students to one with 2,000—it's much easier to get lost in the crowd!
- The Enlightenment: This was a "New Age of Reason." People started using science and logic to solve problems rather than just saying "that's how we've always done it." This led people to question if the Bloody Code (death penalty for tiny crimes) was actually working.
- Political Change: As cities grew, more people (mostly middle-class men at first) got the right to vote. They wanted a society that felt safer and more "civilised."
Quick Review: Think of Urbanisation like a crowded concert. When there are thousands of people packed together, it's easier for things to go missing, and harder for the "authorities" to keep an eye on everyone.
Key Takeaway: Rapid growth in cities created new opportunities for crime, while new ideas about "reason" made people want to change how criminals were treated.
2. Crime and Criminals: What was happening in the streets?
In the first half of the 19th century (1800–1850), crime rates seemed to skyrocket. Why?
Why did crime increase?
1. Extreme Poverty: Factory wages were low, and if you lost your job, there was no "safety net." People stole food or clothes just to survive.
2. Overcrowding: In the new "slums," people lived on top of each other. This made it easy for pickpockets and thieves to operate.
3. Alcohol: Cheap gin and beer shops were everywhere. Many crimes were "crimes of passion" or fights caused by drunkenness.
Types of Crime
Most crimes were petty theft (stealing small items). However, people were very scared of "street crime" like garrotting (strangling someone to rob them). The newspapers made people feel like the "criminal class" was taking over the country!
Did you know? Some historians think crime didn't actually increase as much as it looked—it’s just that with the new police force (which we'll see next), more people were being caught and recorded!
Key Takeaway: Crime rose because of poverty and crowded cities. Most crime was stealing small things, but the public was very frightened of violent street theft.
3. Law Enforcement: The Birth of the "Bobbies"
Before 1829, there was no professional police force. Towns relied on constables and watchmen who were often old, poorly paid, and not very effective.
Robert Peel and the Met
In 1829, Sir Robert Peel set up the Metropolitan Police Force in London. These first officers were nicknamed "Peelers" or "Bobbies" (after Robert’s name). This was a huge change!
Why was the new police force different?
- Uniforms: They wore blue tailcoats and top hats. This was to make them look like citizens, not soldiers (people were afraid of a military-style police).
- Prevention: Their main job wasn't just catching criminals, but deterring them by walking a regular "beat" (a set route).
- Professionalism: They were paid a salary and had to follow strict rules.
Memory Aid: Use the name PEEL to remember why they were successful:
P - Professional (paid and trained).
E - Every day (they walked a "beat" regularly).
E - Evidence (they started using logic and records).
L - London (where it started before spreading to the whole country).
Key Takeaway: Law enforcement moved from amateur "watchmen" to professional, uniformed police officers focused on preventing crime.
4. Punishment: From the Gallows to the Prison
In 1750, the Bloody Code was still in use (you could be hanged for stealing a sheep!). By 1900, the death penalty was only used for murder and treason. What happened in between?
Transportation to Australia
Instead of hanging people, the government started sending them to Australia.
The Goal: Get criminals out of the country and provide workers for the new colonies.
The Reality: It was expensive, and eventually, Australia said "Stop sending us your criminals!" It ended in 1868.
The Rise of Prisons
Prisons became the main way to punish people. But people disagreed on how prisons should work. There were two main systems:
- The Separate System: Prisoners were kept in individual cells 24/7. They worked, ate, and prayed alone. The idea was to give them time to think about their sins (penitence—hence the name "penitentiary").
Analogy: Like a permanent, very strict "time out" in your own room. - The Silent System: Prisoners lived together but were never allowed to speak. They did "hard labour" like the treadwheel (walking on a giant wheel for hours that did nothing).
Prison Reformers
Two people you must know:
- John Howard: He argued that prisons were filthy and full of disease. He wanted clean water and better food.
- Elizabeth Fry: She visited women in Newgate Prison and was horrified. She fought for female warders, schools for the children in prison, and better conditions.
Common Mistake to Avoid: Don't think that prison reform was just about being "nice." Many reformers, and the government, still wanted prisons to be "harsh" to scare people away from crime!
Key Takeaway: Punishment changed from public hanging and transportation to long-term stays in prisons designed to "reform" (change) the criminal's character.
Quick Review: Check your knowledge!
1. Who started the Metropolitan Police in 1829? (Answer: Sir Robert Peel)
2. Why did people move to cities? (Answer: Urbanisation/Factory work)
3. What were the two main prison systems? (Answer: Separate and Silent)
4. Where were criminals "transported" to? (Answer: Australia)
You've got this! This period is all about the move from chaos (crowded cities and the Bloody Code) to order (police and prisons). Keep focusing on why things changed, and you'll do great in your exam!